Time Travel Turtlehttps://www.timetravelturtle.com
A travel blog with stories beyond the brochureWed, 19 Dec 2018 05:53:12 +0000en-AUhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.1A travel blog with stories beyond the brochureTime Travel TurtleA travel blog with stories beyond the brochureTime Travel Turtlehttps://www.timetravelturtle.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpghttps://www.timetravelturtle.com
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https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-to-do-oita-japan/#respondWed, 19 Dec 2018 05:51:29 +0000https://www.timetravelturtle.com/?p=35680When Australia plays at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, this small onsen region on Kyushu will host some of the games. Here's what to do in Oita!

The Rugby World Cup is different from the Olympics. When Japan hosts the Olympics in 2020, most of the events will be in the host city of Tokyo. But with the Rugby World Cup in 2019, the whole country joins the party!

That will be one of the wonderful things about coming to Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

If you want to follow a particular team, it gives you a good excuse to travel to different cities to see their games.

Or, if you would like to travel around Japan, you’ll be able to find games in different areas.

One of the most important stadiums in the whole competition is actually in a rather unlikely place. I say ‘unlikely’ because it’s a part of Japan that many people may not have heard of and isn’t on the typical tourist trail – but it has so much to offer.

I’m talking about Oita, a prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu. I have a feeling that people who come for the rugby will fall in love with it. But, of course, you don’t need to wait until there’s a rugby game to come and discover the region.

Oita Stadium

Before I tell you about all the things to do in Oita, it’s worth mentioning the magnificent Oita Stadium. This is where three of the pool games will be held – New Zealand vs Canada, Australia vs Uruguay, and Wales vs Fiji.

There will also be two quarter finals played here which, if things go as expected, will probably include some top teams like Australia, Wales, England, France, or Argentina.

Oita Stadium was opened in 2001 for the FIFA World Cup the following year. It can hold up to 40,000 people and has quite a remarkable domed roof that can be either open or closed.

What makes it particularly pleasant is that – much like many of the Japanese stadiums – it is designed in a way that makes it easy to get in and out, with hardly any queues for toilets or food and drink.

Oita Stadium is about 10 kilometres from the centre of Oita city and it can be hard to get there when there’s nothing on because there are no direct public transport links. But, when there’s a game being played, there are fast and easy shuttle buses to get you there from the main train station.

Things to do in Oita, Japan

Regardless of whether you’re here for the rugby or here for a holiday, there are lots of things to do in Oita. Let me tell you about some of my favourites.

Saiki City

Saiki City is a relatively small city on the southern coast of Oita prefecture that is famous for its seafood. Oita generally has a reputation for good seafood because the warm and rapid current that goes down the coast here means tastier fish – but the port of Saiki is where much of it comes first.

Fukuzushi

The fresh catches coming in here from fishing boats mean people will travel to Saiki just for a meal. There are some great restaurants but my suggestion for the best sushi and sashimi in Saiki (and some would say, all of Oita) is to Fukuzushi.

The food will be prepared right in front of you and then each piece will be placed onto the bench when it’s ready. You just pick it up, pop in your mouth, and enjoy some of the best seafood tastes you’ve ever had.

Saiki Castle ruins

Saiki Castle was built in 1606 but history tells us that it didn’t last very long. It was destroyed by fire in 1617 and its owners decided that, rather than repair it, they would build a new one.

However, it would have been quite a grand castle for its time and even the ruins that are left are quite impressive. But what makes visiting it worthwhile is the journey and the views – because Saiki Castle is at the top of a mountain.

It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk along a forest path to the top from street level and once you’re there you can explore the ruins and look out over Saiki City and to the coast.

The Way of History and Literature

When you get back down to the bottom of the Saiki Castle trail, you’ll be at the start of a road that has been dubbed ‘The Way of History and Literature’.

It’s only 700 metres long but there are centuries of history in the buildings on either side. Saiki has a strong samurai heritage and there are some signs along the way that explain how parts of this street relate to that.

In particular, you can pop into the Doppo Kunikida Memorial House to get an impression of what the traditional residences were like in this part of the country.

At the end of the road is the impressive Youken-ji Temple. You’ll be able to see some of it from the outside but it is usually closed to visitors.

Oita City

The capital city of Oita prefecture is Oita City but, with a population of less than 500,000 people, it doesn’t have the same chaotic feel as places like Tokyo or Kyoto.

This is a regional capital, where you’ll find everything you need but won’t have any stress getting around or finding what you’re looking for.

Oita also has its own quirks and personality. While there is considerable history here, the city has carved out its own niche as one of Kyushu’s leading artistic hubs.

Oita City Art Museum

The best place to start exploring the art scene of the city is at the Oita City Art Museum. This large building has a few different sections with permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Take a stroll through works from local artists that show the development of the different styles. There are some large impressive pieces and, like much of Japan, smaller works where the beauty lies in the details.

I like the mix of modern and traditional that’s on display and there is a comfortable atmosphere to the way everything has been designed. It’s easy to spend a couple of hours here, if you’re interested in all the exhibitions.

Oita Prefectural Art Museum

To continue the artistic experience, you can next head to the Oita Prefectural Art Museum (also known as OPAM). This is a very different kind of institution and feels less like a museum and more like a cultural centre.

It was only opened in 2015 and has a fresh modern feel. The top floor has dedicated gallery space that is used for different temporary exhibitions, with each of them usually having their own admission fees.

The rest of the building is free to enter and has smaller collections on display – sometimes about art but sometimes about things like science or the environment.

There is also a good shop, spaces used by students, a library, and a cafe. Even if you don’t have time for any of the formal exhibitions, it’s worth going in to get a drink and have a look at the architecture and other items on display.

Art Plaza

The Art Plaza in Oita is not as comprehensive as the other two museums but it’s still worth having a look when you’re in the area. It is used as more of a community space and has exhibitions with local artists, or art fairs.

The building as completed in 1966 and was originally used as the prefectural library. It was turned into the Art Plaza in 1996.

There are quite often cultural activities or events here so it may be worth seeing what’s happening when you’re in town.

Funai Castle

Across the road from the Art Plaza is Funai Castle, one of the main symbols of Oita. The castle was built in the 16th century but it burnt down in 1743.

Seeing as it was never rebuilt, it may seem strange that this is one of the symbols of the city – but there’s a reason. The main defensive walls, some of the turrets, and the bridges leading over the moat were rebuilt in the 20th century., and they are pleasant to explore.

But in the position where the main keep was is the highlight. Here the city authorities have built the frame of the original castle and every night it lights up to in a bright representation of what once was.

Eating out

Of course, Oita City has some great places to eat and you’ll be able to find some fantastic food here.

In the centre of the city, I would suggest going to an izakaya-style restaurant where you will get a good choice to local specialties. I would recommend Kotsu Kotsu-an, Gojyuroku-ya, or Tsubonaka no tenchi.

There are a few specialties that are worth having while you’re in Oita. My favourite is called ‘toriten’ which is a type of fried chicken.

There’s also a dumpling soup called ‘dangojiru’ that is made with a miso broth and has mushrooms, taro and carrot.

Plus I need to make a special mention of the Oita Bungo Beef that is a wonderful marbled beef that comes from the region and will often be served to you with a hot plate so you can cook it the way you like.

City Spa Tenku

Oita prefecture is well-known amongst the Japanese for its onsen, or hot springs. While it’s nearby Beppu that is most famous (and I’ll talk about that soon), there is a great onsen experience in Oita City.

In the building above the train station, you can have a soak in the onsen high in the sky. There is an indoor bath on the 20th floor but I would suggest the outdoor bath on the 21st floor. You can look out at stunning city views from the comfort of the steaming hot water.

City Spa Tenku is very convenient because of its location at the main train station. It is also very accommodating of foreign visitors. Although it has all the traditional customs of a normal Japanese onsen, there are signs and instructions in English to help.

Takasakiyama Monkey Park

As you go along the coast between Oita City and Beppu, you’ll pass a mountain called Takasakiyama. At 628 metres high, it’s something you may notice – but you probably wouldn’t give it much thought except for one reason.

It’s home to about 1500 very cheeky monkeys!

These monkeys live here freely – it’s not a zoo or anything like that, and during the day they come down to the mountain’s base. It’s here that you can get up close with them. But they’re wild… so not too close!

The monkeys live in two troops that never come down at the same time, so the most that will ever be here is about 700. But you can see the babies playing in the kindergarten, the older males asserting their authority, and plenty of other hijinx.

Homestay

There is no shortage of accommodation options around Oita but none of them is as special as the homestay experience on offer around Usuki.

The community has come together to create a homestay program that about 30 families take part in. You can easily arrange to stay the night with them and they will welcome you to the home, cook meals with local ingredients, and may even do some cultural activities.

Most of the families around Usuki are also farmers – although sometimes this just means they have small plots with one or two products. But seeing this slice of rural life is a bonus.

I will be writing more soon about my night with a family at their homestay. It’s certainly a unique experience and I think it will be one of the most special things you do on your trip to Japan.

Beppu Onsen

Finally, I can’t let you go without telling you about Beppu and the amazing onsens here.

Beppu is a coastal city about 15 minutes by train from Oita City. Population-wise, it’s about a quarter of the size of Oita, but it very popular with domestic tourists. The main attraction is the onsens.

Beppu has the distinction of producing more natural hot spring water than any other spot in Japan. This water is then channelled to the dozens of onsens that are available to visitors.

While you can go to a public onsen, the best way to experience Beppu is to stay at a ryokan. You’ll get a traditional Japanese room, meals in the dining room, and large baths within the complex you can use.

These ryokan onsen often have indoor and outdoor areas and are beautifully-decorated. It means you can just wander down from your room for a soak whenever you want.

Oita is worth a few days for a trip – and not just because there are lots of things to do in Oita (and, of course, there are even more than I have talked about here).

It’s also because Oita is meant to be taken slowly. You’re supposed to relax and soak in the art or soak in a bath. You can have a leisurely seafood meal, go hiking in the forest, or rent a bike and go cycling in the mountains.

My biggest suggestion is to not just hop down to Oita for a rugby game and then leave again. Make a proper trip out of it and see a part of Japan that most visitors don’t get a chance to explore.

Time Travel Turtle was supported by Tourism Oita but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

]]>https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-to-do-oita-japan/feed/033.2399063 131.6119690https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-to-do-oita-japan/Kochi: Japan’s friendliest city?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TimeTravelTurtle/~3/aOqil9uEp1Y/
https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-to-do-kochi-city-japan/#commentsTue, 11 Dec 2018 06:10:34 +0000https://www.timetravelturtle.com/?p=35649The people of Kochi think they're Japan's friendliest. It could have something to do with their love of a drink!!

There’s a festival held each year in Kochi prefecture that climaxes with a competition to see who can drink sake the fastest. Men get given 1.8 litres of sake in a big cup and women get 0.9 litres.

How long do you think it would take to drink that much of the rice wine?

Well, the fastest time for the men is 12.5 second and for the women it’s 10.8 seconds.

If somebody wins the competition at the Dorome Festival for three years in a row, they get the title “The Doctor of Drinking”.

It’s definitely a source of pride here. You see, Kochi has a reputation for enjoying a drink or two. And they’re not ashamed to show it.

Perhaps this goes some way to explaining why Kochi is also known for having some of the friendliest people in Japan. In a country where shyness can often inhibit conversations with strangers, it’s refreshing to find a region where the locals love to have a chat.

I find this conversation easily one evening at the Hirome Market in Kochi City. This large indoor market building has about 65 different food stalls and bars and is absolutely packed with locals eat, drinking… and talking.

They talk to their friends, they talk to the people next to them in Japanese, and they even try to talk to a tourist like me in English. There’s an animated atmosphere that makes you feel instantly welcome – the people of Kochi true to their reputation.

But before you get here in the evening, I think you need to earn a drink. A night market always feels more worthwhile after a busy day of sightseeing – and there’s plenty to do here in Kochi city.

Luckily there’s an easy way to explore all the highlights and I’m going to offer some tips on the best way to spend a day in Kochi city.

A day in Kochi City

The good people of Kochi have made it easy for visitors to their city by putting together a tourist bus called the My-Yu Bus and a transport pass that includes it and the local trams. They will take you to everywhere you want to go.

You can buy the pass at the tourist information office at the main entrance to the JR train station in Kochi City. A one day pass is 1000 yen for Japanese people but only 500 yen (US$4.50) for foreign tourists, if you show your passport.

Kochi Castle

The first stop is Kochi Castle. You can use the transport pass to catch the tram here from the JR train station – or it’s just a 20 minute walk.

This is one of the most important castles in Japan. There are only 12 in the whole country that are considered to be original and intact – and Kochi Castle is one of them.

It was built between 1601 and 1611 and is an imposing and impressive complex. Coming in from the street, you’ll pass through large defensive gates before climbing up a hill to the main building at the peak.

This main building is interesting because, unlike many other Japanese castles, it was used as both a residence and for military purposes. So as you walk through it, you’ll see comfortable living rooms and manicured gardens, plus a five-level tower where soldiers would be able to defend from.

This is one of the best things to do in Kochi City. The grounds are free to explore but it’s worth paying the entrance to see the main building and climb up the tower for the fantastic views.

Across the road is the Kochi Castle Museum of History. It’s a great building but it’s probably only worth going inside if you have a very specific interest in the topic because most of the exhibitions are only in Japanese.

Yosakoi Inari Shrine

Just near Kochi Castle is a cute little shrine that you won’t find in most guidebooks but I think it worth stopping at. The reason I find it interesting is because it’s full of chickens!

You’ll notice that this shrine is dedicated to chickens (or, more accurately, the rooster) and you’ll see images of them in statues and other design elements. But I think it’s the words scratching around and defending their territory that are particularly fun!

Harimayabashi

One of the most famous landmarks of Kochi City is Harimayabashi, which is a small red bridge (that is now rarely used because the main pedestrian path runs just metres away.

It’s not that visually spectacular and it’s only reason famous because of a legend that goes along with it that a monk in the 19th century fell in love with a woman (which was forbidden) and they were caught here and banished.

However, the bridge is at the crossroads of the two tram lines and close to the My-Yu bus stop that you’ll want to use, so you might as well have a look at it.

Of more interest is probably the mechanical clock on the opposite side of the street that puts on a very impressive sound and movement show at the top of the hour.

Godaisan Observatory

If you catch the My-Yu bus from the Harimayabashi intersection, the first place I recommend getting off is the Godaisan Observatory. Don’t be confused by the name (as I was originally). It is not a telescope – by ‘observatory’, they mean a viewpoint.

And it’s an impressive viewpoint! From here you get a perfect vista down over Kochi city. You’ll see how it fits amongst the mountains with the waterways around it. It really is a stunning part of Shikoku!

There is a cafe with good views here too, if you’re ready for a coffee or a snack. Otherwise walk down the hill to Chikurin-ji Temple.

Chikurin-ji Temple

In some of my previous stories about Shikoku, I have mentioned a famous pilgrimage that goes to 88 Buddhist temples. Well, Chikurin-ji is one of them (officially it’s number 31 if you’re doing them in the correct order).

It’s a charming temple complex that was founded in the 8th century and has important Buddhist scholarly scrolls and statues in its treasure hall. One of the main highlights, though, is the five-story pagoda that sits on an elevated part of the site.

There are some peaceful gardens and a few other things to see here. You’ll probably notice some pilgrims walking through, with their white shirts and conical hats. It’s an interesting way to see a bit of this important religious journey.

Makino Botanical Garden

Next to the temple is an entrance to the Makino Botanical Garden. It was opened in 1958 to honour local (but world renowned) botanist Tomitaro Makino. It is one of the most comprehensive botanical gardens in Japan and is well worth a visit.

One of the highlights is the large greenhouse that has hundreds of tropical plants in it. But as you wander through the garden, you’ll find other sections that are dedicated to different regions or styles.

There is a garden of medicinal plants, a flower garden, and a hall with exhibitions. In total, there are about 3000 species of plants here.

You can walk through and then leave from the exit on the other side and catch the My-Yu bus from there.

Katsurahama Beach

The bus will take you to its final stop, Katsurahama, which is a delightful area on the outskirts of Kochi city. The main feature here is the beach which is a lovely spot to have a rest on a sunny day.

At one end of the beach is a picturesque shrine up on a hill, and at the other end is the enormous 14 metre statue of the famous historical figure Sakamoto Ryoma.

There is also a shopping area here which is good for souvenirs. There are restaurants above the shops so, if you’re hungry, this may be a good chance to get something to eat.

From the bus stop near the shops, you can catch the express bus back into the centre of Kochi city.

Obiyamachi Shopping Arcade

Back in the centre of Kochi, you may be interested in the Obiyamachi Shopping Arcade. This large arcade has a series of streets that are undercover and pedestrianised so you can easily explore what’s on offer.

There’s a large variety of shops with a whole range of things for sale. There are also lots of restaurants and cafes.

Hirome Market

And that brings us back to Hirome Market, at the western end of Obiyamachi Shopping Arcade. By now I think you’ve definitely earned your drink and something to eat.

I would recommend getting a seat in the general area and then choosing a selection of food and drink from different stalls in the market.

One of the local delicacies here that you must try is called ‘katsuo no tataki’ and is pieces of bonito fish that migrate past Kochi in the warmer months. It is usually slightly seared on the outside – and is delicious!

You can also try some of the local sake, which Kochi is very proud of. As you do, though, please don’t try to challenge the winners of the annual sake-drinking competition.

Even if you think you can handle a litre or so, there’s no point drinking it in just ten seconds. You won’t get to enjoy it nearly enough – and enjoying the evening is one of the best things about Kochi!

Time Travel Turtle was supported by Visit Kochi but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

When you arrive at the train station at Shin-Fuji, pop into the information centre. If it’s a cloudy day and you can’t see Mount Fuji properly, they will give you a postcard of the volcano as gift.

On the card, it explains that she (in Japan, it’s believed Mount Fuji is a female goddess) is shy or intimidated by your beauty, and that’s why she’s hiding.

It’s a cute way to begin your stay here on the southern side of the mountain, around Fuji and Fujinomiya.

The mountain is obviously the star attraction and, assuming there’s no cloud, it is never out of sight for long. Everywhere you go in this region, it looms large above everything – both physically and culturally.

But even if you can’t see Mount Fuji on the day you arrive (and, on average, it is covered by cloud about 40 per cent of the year), there is still plenty do in this region to the south of the mountain.

There are quite a few cities around the mountain that serve as bases for people wanting to explore Mt Fuji. But the twin cities of Fuji and Fujinomiya have a few advantages.

They are the closest to the summit, they are the only ones with direct shinkansen access (on the main line between Tokyo and Osaka), and they are also located on the most historic pilgrimage route (from Kyoto, rather than from Tokyo).

It makes this a convenient stop for visitors who are travelling through the country – particularly those with a JR Rail Pass. And it offer some of the richest experiences for those looking for cultural history.

After spending a few days in the region, I’ve been so impressed with what I’ve found. There’s a depth here that hasn’t been overly-commercialised by hordes of tour groups. It has national significance but local charm.

But it’s not all obvious – sometimes you need to know where to look. So, to help you with a visit, here is my list of things to do in Fuji City and Fujinomiya.

﻿

Climbing Mt Fuji

Of course, I can’t put together a list of things do without starting with the star attraction – climbing Mt Fuji. There are several paths up the mountain that are accessible from different cities. However, the track from Fujinomiya is the shortest (although it’s also the steepest!).

Most hikers start from the 5th station and the walk to the top takes about 5 hours. There are huts along the way to sleep or rest at night so you can be ready for the last little bit just in time for sunrise.

The climbing season is short – from early July to early September – and you can get a shuttle bus to the 5th station during this period.

Outside of the climbing season, it is still worth going up to the 5th station because there are some trails you walk (although the path to the summit will be blocked). The shuttle bus doesn’t run all year, though.

You can go with a local tour company to show you around and give you more information about the mountain. I recommend this Mt Fuji tour.

Mt Fuji World Heritage Site

Mount Fuji has been named as a World Heritage Site – but it’s not just for the natural beauty. It’s the historical and religious significance that makes the volcano so important.

For centuries, people in Japan have worshipped Mount Fuji, believing that it is a goddess or a place with links to the underworld where many gods live.

Around the mountain are shrines and other sacred locations that have been used by pilgrims making the climb to the top for many generations. Seeing some of these sites offers a deeper understanding of the cultural context of Mt Fuji.

Rather than list them again here, you can read my story about Mt Fuji’s World Heritage to find out more. In particular, I would suggest seeing Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, Yamamiya Sengen-jinja Shrine, and Shiraito Falls.

World Heritage Centre

Another way to learn about the history of the mountain is at the new Mt Fuji World Heritage Centre, which opened at the end of 2017. This incredible new building is an architectural marvel that creates a reflection the shape of Mt Fuji in the pool outside.

Inside, you gradually rise up the levels in a process that represents climbing Mt Fuji. along the way is lots of information about the geology, history, spirituality and artistic inspiration of this famous Japanese volcano.

This really is a fantastic museum and interpretation centre and is not to be missed on a visit to the Fuji region. Make sure you find time to watch the free short movie in the centre’s theatre.

Yoshiwara shopping street

If you’re coming by Shinkansen, you’ll arrive in Fuji city. There aren’t a lot of famous sights here but it’s a nice Japanese city.

One of the most interesting parts is Yoshiwara shopping street, which is a historical commercial district that now has a range of different shops that may be of interest.

Look out for the fruit jellies, which are a local specialty, and the stores that have interesting authentic souvenirs of Mount Fuji. This is not an area full of tourists so you’ll be able to find some authentic local shopping here.

Gakunan Railway Line

Speaking of local experiences, when you’re in Yoshiwara, you might like to take a quick ride on the Gakunan Railway Line. This electric train line was opened in 1936 and is quite famous.

Although it’s just now just a normal local line, it offers great views of Mt Fuji for most of the route. It’s a fun way to see the mountain from different angles and also experience some Japanese life.

You can jump on at Yoshiwara station and go for as many stops as you like and then come back again. You’ll also see residential and industrial parts of Fuji.

Tsuke-Napori

Yoshiwara shopping street is also one of the best places to try an unusual local delicacy called Tsuke-Napori.

It’s a combination of the word ‘tsukemen’ – which is a dish where noodles are dipped into the broth – and ‘neapolitan’, like the Italian sauce. So Tsuke-Napori is a bowl of ramen noodles that you dip into a bowl of Italian-style tomato sauce.

It’s strange… but really tasty. And it’s a good example of one of things I love about Japan – that you can have a dish like this that’s not just local to a city, but to just a small area like Yoshiwara.

I would recommend trying it at Sofarii Cafe but you’ll find it other places as well.

Yakisoba

In neighbouring Fujinomiya, the signature dish is the good old yakisoba. Although you can find this all across Japan, the version you get here is special.

The Fujinomiya yakisoba has regularly won recognition as the best in Japan. It gets its award-winning taste from the local cabbages that are used, the smaller-than-usual amount of water, and a unique sauce.

There are quite a lot of restaurants in Fujinomiya that serve the special yakisoba so look out for one of them. You may even be able to find a map that shows you where the best ones are.

If you are interested in discovering more about the local food scene, I would recommend this great tour.

Food Park

A little drive out of town, there’s actually a place that is dedicated to local food and drink. The Asagiri Food Park is a collection of regional producers that make and sell their specialties here in the one place.

You can go to the dairy and see them work through large windows and then try some of their famous ice cream. There is a tea shop where you can try some of the local matcha.

Plus there is a sweets shop, a fantastic shop where they make sweet potato chips with different flavours, and even a relatively large sake brewery.

Lake Tanuki

As if there weren’t enough natural wonders here, after Mt Fuji itself and Shiraito Falls, the next most popular spot of Lake Tanuki. Although, technically it’s not natural because this large lake was created in 1935 by damming a local river.

Still, it is a beautiful spot for outdoor activities and is popular for fishing, boating and hiking. There are also camp spots here with excellent facilities, so you could even stay the night if you’re prepared.

But one of the main reasons tourists come here is for the postcard photo views of Mt Fuji with Lake Tanuki in the foreground. It’s stunning any time of the day but is particularly special at sunset.

Bungee jumping

OK, you probably didn’t expect this, but it turns out you can go bungee jumping near Fuji City!

I had never been before but thought this might be the time to try it. The jump is 54 metres high and is from a bridge over the Suzu Valley. In one direction you can see waterfalls and in the other you can see Fuji City – so it’s very scenic.

But I wasn’t thinking about any of that as I stood on the edge about to jump.

It was really scary – as you might expect – but also a lot of fun. I was really glad I gave it a try and I’m sure Japan is one of the safest countries in the world to do something like this.

For something a bit different in Japan, I would highly recommend a bungee jump. Bungy Japan is also the closest one to Tokyo, which is another good reason to pop down to this part of the country.

Factory viewpoint

And, finally, if you are still looking for something to do once the sun has gone down, perhaps you want to go to a unique viewpoint.

It may sounds odd, but the night view of Mt Fuji with factories in front is actually really beautiful. The industrial area is brightly lit up and full of colour, while the mountain sits dark and serene behind.

Unfortunately there was some cloud when I went but I hope this photo gives you an idea of what it could look like!

It doesn’t matter where you go – or when you go – Mt Fuji always looms large here. The factory view is just one of the things that is a bit of a local secret but a wonderful experience.

You’ll definitely get a lot more out of exploring Fuji and Fujinomiya if you have a local with you. If you’re interested, I would recommend this interesting ecotour.

Time Travel Turtle was supported by Fujinomiya City and Fuji City but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

]]>https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-around-fuji-fujinomiya-japan/feed/335.1429062 138.6637115https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-around-fuji-fujinomiya-japan/Worshipping Mount Fujihttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TimeTravelTurtle/~3/feER8MPDvXQ/
https://www.timetravelturtle.com/mt-fuji-world-heritage-japan/#respondThu, 06 Dec 2018 00:06:00 +0000https://www.timetravelturtle.com/?p=35558Mt Fuji is now a World Heritage Site - but it's more than just the mountain. It's the history and spirituality of Mt Fuji that's protected.

For centuries, there has been something spiritual about travelling to Mount Fuji, Japan’s iconic volcano.

Traditional Japanese faith said that Mount Fuji was a female goddess who was much like a mother. Most of the time she looked after her children, giving them water and fertile soil. But every so often she got angry and… well, erupted!

With any god – but especially one that would burst into lava and toxic gases every 300 years or so – it is important to show your respect. With Mount Fuji, this has always come in two ways.

Mount Fuji pilgrimages

Firstly, there is the climbing. For as long as Japanese history can be traced, people have trekked to the top of Mount Fuji. Historically, this was a pilgrimage – both a tribute to the gods and a personal journey.

They used to walk from Kyoto when it was the capital of Japan. When the capital moved to Tokyo, they walked from there. The pilgrimage from Tokyo to the top of Mount Fuji and back took about eight days.

But, secondly, there was the worship of the mountain. Although many people believed Mount Fuji itself was a goddess, there were also strands of faith that believed it was home to many other gods – and even a link to the underworld.

And so all along the approach to the summit of the volcano are temples and shrines that locals would pray at and the pilgrims would stop to worship at along their journey.

Worshipping Fuji today

These days there are still pilgrims… in a sense. Thousands of people come to climb Mount Fuji and each has their own reason for doing it. For many, it’s just fun. For others, it is part of a deeper inner journey. But there are only a few who still do it for religious reasons.

I don’t think that’s a problem. A pilgrimage means something different to every person and it’s no easy feat to climb to the summit of a volcano. The round trip may only take 8 hours, rather than 8 days, but it’s still an achievement.

But I do worry that maybe a lot of the people who climb Mount Fuji – or even just visit the area without going to the summit – aren’t aware of the historic and religious significance here.

Taking some time to see the sites of worship that have existed here for centuries offers a deeper understanding of the region.

It gives more context to why this towering volcano is more than just a scenic mountain, and is such an important part of the spirituality of Japan.

Map of Mt Fuji World Heritage locations

These religious buildings and other sacred sites around Mount Fuji are so important that, together, they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013.

There are 25 individual locations that are part of the designation. They include shrines, historic lodging houses, lava moulds, and sacred natural spots like lakes that were used for purification by pilgrims.

If you’re interested, I’ve put together this map that shows you where they all are.

You’ll notice that a lot of the sites are on the northern side of Mount Fuji. That’s because this is where the pilgrims would arrive from Tokyo. However, the oldest and most significant sites on the south because that’s where the original pilgrims from Kyoto would come.

Basing yourself in the city of Fujinomiya is the perfect way to explore the World Heritage locations on this side of the mountain.

It also gives you access to the shortest hiking route to the top of Mount Fuji and an easy way to do some trekking from the 5th station in the off-season when the summit is closed.

Here’s a selection of the best parts of the World Heritage Site that are worth seeing around Fujinomiya.

Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine

There’s no doubt that this is the most important shrine in the region and the head shrine for all the other Sengen places of worship you’ll find in Japan.

It was more than 1000 years as a place to pray for protection from eruptions but the current design is from the 1600s. A few of the buildings are original and other have been repaired after natural disasters.

The main shrine building is brightly-coloured and sits in the middle of a beautiful courtyard. If you head out to the right, you’ll find a pond used for purification.

The shrine was considered to be the ‘front entrance’ to Mount Fuji and a lot of the pilgrimages began their sacred final climb from here.

Yamamiya Sengen-jinja Shrine

I think the layout of this shrine is so beautiful and it’s completely different to any others you’ll see. It’s worth making the effort to visit because you won’t find anything else like it.

What makes it so special is that it doesn’t actually have a main hall here. You enter on a long pathway lined with stone lanterns on either side. At the end is a staircase up to an elevated level.

Up on this level are some of the items you may expect to find in the hall of a shrine but right in front of you is the main attraction – a clear view right to Mount Fuji that you can worship directly from this spot outside, surrounded by trees.

Hitoana Fuji-ko Iseki

This is another very important site in the story of pilgrimages to the volcano. It’s said that the founder of one of the most important Fuji-worship groups underwent his religious training on this spot around the 16th century.

His name was Hasegawa Kakugyo and he chose this location because there’s a mouth to a lava cave here and it was thought it offered a direct connection to the mountain goddess.

You can still see the cave entrance but it’s now closed to the public. Apparently it stretches back for about 100 metres.

What is more interesting are all the monuments that have been erected over the centuries to pay homage to all the different Fuji-worship groups that have come through here on their way to the summit.

Shiraito Falls

And finally, you can’t visit Fujinomiya and not go to see Shiraito Falls. I would say they are the second most impressive sight in the region – after Mount Fuji, obviously.

They are only about 20 metres high but the impressive thing is the cascade of the falls is about 150 metres wide, like a widescreen that is impossible to capture in just one frame. The name refers to hanging threads of silk, which is just what Shiraito Falls looks like.

The falls are part of the World Heritage Site because they were considered sacred by the cults of pilgrims who would pass through. The water comes directly from the snow on Mount Fuji but can take more than ten years to seep through the ground from the summit to here!

Whether you come to Mount Fuji for the climb or the history, it would be a shame to not see some of these beautiful and significant sights. And staying south of the mountain, in Fujinomiya, gives you the perfect base for all your exploration!

]]>https://www.timetravelturtle.com/mt-fuji-world-heritage-japan/feed/035.3627625 138.7304840https://www.timetravelturtle.com/mt-fuji-world-heritage-japan/The legacy of the Radziwiłł familyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TimeTravelTurtle/~3/nWJcl-1vWgw/
https://www.timetravelturtle.com/visit-nesvizh-castle-belarus/#respondSat, 01 Dec 2018 08:23:02 +0000https://www.timetravelturtle.com/?p=35187It may not fit the image you have of Belarus but the beautiful Nesvizh Castle is among the best you'll find in Europe!

Travelling through this part of Europe, there are two things that constantly appear. One is cold beetroot soup. The other is the Radziwiłł family.

Let’s leave the soup alone for now. (Although, if you haven’t tried it, you must – it’s my new favourite dish!) And let’s talk instead about the Radziwiłł family and, specifically, about their property at Nesvizh Castle in Belarus.

The complex at Nesvizh Castle is astounding. And to understand the scale of what you’ll find here, it’s important to know a little about the Radziwiłł family.

The Radziwiłłs were powerful people who came to the peak of their strength in the 16th century (and remained influential into the 20th century). They weren’t political rulers and they weren’t religious leaders (although individual members of the family became both those things).

Officially the Radziwiłłs were called ‘magnates’ and the best way to think about them is as an extremely wealthy family that had power at every level of nobility. Their influence stretched across modern-day Belarus, Poland, Lithuania, and Germany.

Anyway, let’s not get distracted by all of the countries where they had their fingers in a pie. After all, at their height, the Radziwiłłs owned 23 palaces, 426 large towns, 2032 estates, and more than 10,000 villages!

Let’s get back to Nesvizh Castle in Belarus – one of the most important and impressive of their properties.

You approach the castle from a long tree-lined avenue that is on an elevated path in the middle of a lake. On first glance you may think it is designed this way as a defensive measure – but it’s really just about the aesthetics.

In fact, even though this is technically called a castle, it’s one where design has always more important than function. When the Radziwiłłs took over the land here in 1533, there were some foundations of an old medieval castle. Rather than make the most of the fortifications, they constructed an elegant renaissance-baroque house.

Over the centuries, Nesvizh Castle has been successfully attacked and so, when it came to repairing it, more defences were added. But always by some of the top architects from across Europe.

Modifications of the castle, and the enlarging of the garden, continued until 1939 when the Soviets invaded the area. The Red Army took it over and it fell into disrepair. However, it has since been restored, opened to the public, and designated as a World Heritage Site (one of the reasons I made the trek out from Minsk to see it).

After coming along the avenue in the lake, you get your first glimpse of Nesvizh Castle, now protected by a moat and a sturdy outer wall. It’s not until you go through the main gate that you can truly appreciate how beautiful the exterior is.

In the central courtyard, the yellow walls of the castle look down with scores of windows. Grand and imposing, the status of the Radziwiłł family is reflected in these facades.

But going through the entrance door at the far end of the courtyard to the inner rooms – well, that’s where you see that the wealth of the family was not measured simply in quantity, but in quality too.

Walking through the inside of Nesvizh Castle is the highlight of the visit here.

There are the rooms with the dark wood panelling, paintings of long-gone family members on the wall, the chandeliers offering a glint of contrasting light.

There are the bright reception rooms where sun floods in through the windows onto the ornate couches and the marble statues, and reflects off the large mirrors.

There is the games room where a billiard table sits in the middle but is no distraction from the dozens of pairs of antlers displayed on the walls as trophies from hunts.

And then there are the more personal rooms – the bedrooms, the dressing rooms, the private lounges – where the family would retreat to be alone.

Have a look at some of these photos I took inside the castle, to get a sense of what you’ll find there.

Visiting Belarus has been full of surprises. It’s one of those countries where, despite what you expect, you’ll find things that make you question everything you thought about it.

Nesvizh is probably not a surprise, as such… but it is unexpected. Because so much of my perception of Belarus is based on the current situation and the politics since the middle of the 20th century.

It’s easy to forget that there were many hundreds of years before that when this was a wealthy land full of powerful families who have left their legacy in places like this.

]]>https://www.timetravelturtle.com/visit-nesvizh-castle-belarus/feed/053.2226028 26.6924725https://www.timetravelturtle.com/visit-nesvizh-castle-belarus/Things to do in Tokyo at nighthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TimeTravelTurtle/~3/0jTOOkgfAmY/
https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-to-do-tokyo-night-japan/#commentsThu, 29 Nov 2018 02:20:25 +0000https://www.timetravelturtle.com/?p=35157After dark, Tokyo becomes a whole new city. Here are the best things to do in Tokyo at night.

]]>Tokyo can seem electrifying enough during the day, with its constant controlled chaos and endless entertainment.

But at night, Japan’s capital takes it to another level. It becomes a neon jungle where light and colour seem to fill every available space.

Tokyo is one of those places where residents treat the city as an extension of their homes. It’s just as common to eat at a restaurant as to cook in your own kitchen; amusement parlours provide entertainment after work; small traditional bars are full of friends catching up; cafes offer places to nap; and the streets are just generally busy with people acting busy.

For visitors to Tokyo, this is one of the things that makes the city so exciting. But it can also make it terrifyingly confusing.

Where do you start when there is just a panoramic roar of sensory overload?!

The good news is that you can probably start anywhere and have a great time. When it comes to nightlife in Tokyo, there’s something happening everywhere and it’s all pretty safe.

Walk out of your accommodation and you’ll find somewhere good to eat, somewhere to have a drink, and a neighbourhood to explore. Don’t worry if you don’t speak any Japanese – with a bit of pointing and smiling, everyone will speak the language of a good night out!

But it’s probably better to have a bit of a plan so you can make the most of your nights in Tokyo. Even after a busy day of sightseeing, it’s worth making an effort to see the city after dark.

To help you with this, I’ve put together a few tips on things to do in Tokyo at night. Some are popular activities that you may have already heard of. But I’ve also got some unusual suggestions that will show you a different side of Tokyo.

Viewpoints

Let’s start with an overall picture of Tokyo – and the best way to get a view of the city is from up high. The metropolis is absolutely stunning at night when all the lights are shining.

Tokyo City View at Mori Tower

A fantastic option for a view across the city is from the Tokyo City View at the top of Mori Tower in Roppongi.

There are two levels that you can see the city from. You can use the indoor observation deck on the 52nd floor (that’s open until 23:00 on Sunday to Thursday and until 01:00 on Friday and Saturday nights). Or there’s the outdoor Sky Deck on the roof (that’s open until 22:00 every night).

Within the same part of the tower, there’s the Mori Art Museum that you might also be interested in having a look at. Also, Roppongi is a fun area to go out at night (more on that later) so a ride up the elevator of Mori Tower could fir conveniently with your other plans.

Tokyo Skytree®

Another popular viewpoint is the Tokyo Skytree® – which holds the very impressive titles of tallest structure in Japan, tallest tower in the world, and second tallest structure in the world (after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai).

The issues with the Tokyo Skytree® viewpoints come from its impressiveness, though. Because of the tower’s popularity, the admission tickets are quite expensive and there can often be long lines. It is worth the wait, though, and you can buy a more expensive ticket to get faster access.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

For those looking to save money, another good option for views is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The observation decks here have free admission and one of them us open until 23:00 (the other closes at 17:30).

It’s not as tall as either Mori Tower or Tokyo Skytree® but it’s still an amazing vista from the 45th floor. And the building has a great location in Shinjuku which could also be convenient for other plans you may have.

Asakusa View Hotel

Now, you’re going to have to eat at some point (and I’ll talk more about that soon) so perhaps you can combine an evening view with your dinner. There’s a very comfortable option that will give you a lovely setting with a lot of choice.

The Asakusa View Hotel has a buffet restaurant on the 26th floor that has large windows looking out over the temples at Asakusa and over to the Tokyo Skytree®. The buffet has a good selection of Western and Asian dishes. It would be worth making a reservation if you’re interested.

Helicopter ride

And then there’s one final idea I want to suggest – a real WOW thing to do in Tokyo. And that’s take a helicopter ride over the city at night!

As you fly over the skyscrapers, and see the neon lights flashing and the headlights of the cars moving across the city, you’ll get a very special perspective that most people will never experience. It’s also really interesting to see how the city is laid out and how close to the water the downtown actually is!

It’s also more affordable than you might think. It’s about $200 a person for a 15 minute ride. You can book it at this website. (Although it’s all in Japanese, just send an email in English and they’ll get back to you.)

Cultural Activities

You may think that nights are for fun and days are for culture – but there are plenty of fun cultural things to do in Tokyo at night that will show a different side of the city.

Asakusa

A lot of visitors to Tokyo will head to Asakusa during the day. Asakusa was an entertainment district during the Edo period in the 17th and 18th centuries and it still has elements of this heritage today. But it’s most famous for the religious buildings here – particularly the beautiful Senso-ji temple.

But many parts of Asakusa, and the Senso-ji temple in particular, are lit up at night and offer a different experience once the crowds have left. There’s something really beautiful about the religious compound after dark when there’s a quiet spirituality and locals stop to pray on their way home.

Japanese food tour

I’m going to talk later about some suggestions for places to eat, but one way to discover Japan’s culinary scene is with a food tour. The reason I think taking one of these is such a great option is because you’ll also learn a lot about the city’s culture and about Japanese way of life.

As you spend a few hours with your guide, moving from restaurant to restaurant, you’ll hear stories about why Japanese nightlife is the way it is – including the izakayas (small bars) and how local dishes developed. Of course, you’ll also have an expert with you who’l be able to answer all sorts of questions you may have about Japan.

The Robot Restaurant

And while we’re on the topic of local food, it would be remiss of me not to mention the Robot Restaurant. You may have heard of it already, because it’s a popular attraction for tourists visiting Japan. But you may not really know what to expect.

Firstly, the name ‘restaurant’ is a bit misleading because all you can really get are snacks and bento boxes. So don’t assume this will be your only meal for the night. And when it comes to the ‘robots’, there are certainly plenty of them. But a lot of the action actually comes from the human performers.

Think of the Robot Restaurant as a show, with lots of light, colour and action. It is a special Tokyo experience because this is where it’s located, but it’s not the most authentic thing you can do.

Tickets sell out so you should try to book ahead either online or in person when you’re in Shinjuku.

Sports and games

I always have such fun in the evenings in Tokyo. It’s pretty clear that, because the local people have stressful jobs during the day, they’ve created an environment to blow off steam at night. It means there are all sorts of games and sports that you enjoy – whereas in other cities you might find only restaurants and bars.

Night canoeing

It might not be the first thing you think of in Tokyo, but you can actually go canoeing and kayaking right in the middle of the city. At night, the waterways that go through Tokyo are quite peaceful and it’s a serene experience to slowly paddle along, looking at the lights around you.

I went kayaking on the Kyunaka River, which took me under some magnificent bridges and ultimately to a spectacular view of the Tokyo Skytree®. It’s all done with a couple of local guides, who provide all the equipment, so it’s very easy to do.

Arcades

As you wander through the busy parts of Tokyo, you’ll no doubt notice the enormous arcades full of video games. In many other parts of the world, they would be filled only with teenagers. In Japan, people of all ages will pass their time playing games in the arcades.

I would suggest you pop in and spend a few yen on a couple of games yourself. You’ll probably find some classics that you remember from your childhood if you look hard enough (Streetfighter II, anyone?) – but the new ones that are only in Japan are some of the best fun.

Have a dance, hit some drums, and unleash the child inside you! The biggest arcades are around Akihabara but you’ll find them throughout the whole city.

Karaoke

Another Japanese cliche that is worth trying while you’re in Tokyo is karaoke. The Japanese have moved away from karaoke bars, where you sing in front of strangers (although they still exist). What’s much more common are private rooms inside large karaoke compounds.

You’ll see signs for these in lots of parts of Tokyo – but particularly in the nightlife areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Roppongi. It will probably be written in Japanese (カラオケ) but the company names are often in English – look for chains like Big Echo, Joysound or Cote d’Azur.

The big ones in Tokyo have instructions in English so don’t be scared (and embrace the experience of communicating in a foreign country). It can be quite cheap from about $2/hour per person in off-peak up to $8/hour per person in peak time. Drinks are quite reasonably-priced and there are often all-you-can drink packages with are excellent value.

Batting centres

The most popular sport in Japan is baseball but it’s not an easy game to play in your backyard (if you’re even lucky enough to have one in Tokyo). And so the idea of the indoor batting cages was born.

Throughout Tokyo, there are a number of these indoor centre where a machine will pelt baseballs at you and you can whack them as hard as want. There are different speed options for the machines and there’s something satisfying about joining a bunch of Japanese guys (it’s mainly guys) practising their swing or working through their frustrations.

One of the easiest baseball batting centres to find is OSLO in Shinjuku. You get 60 balls for about ten dollars (and the more you want, the cheaper it becomes – up to 500 balls for 50 dollars).

Eating

I’m not sure if anyone has actually stopped to count them, but it’s said that there are about 100,000 places for food and drink in Tokyo. If you had asked me, I would have guessed even higher! Honestly, it seems like every street is just full of places to eat and drink.

For this reason, I’m not going to offer any specific recommendations for restaurants. There are thousands of excellent options. But if you’re looking for a fun Tokyo experience, here are a few types of places that will provide an authentic meal.

Ramen

I’m going to mention it first because it’s my favourite – but you have to try a ramen restaurant while you’re in Tokyo. It’s delicious and quick so it’s perfect for a bit when you’ve got a busy night ahead of you or (as many Japanese do) for something to fill the stomach on your way home from drinking.

At most ramen restaurants , you’ll need to buy a ticket for your meal at a machine at the entrance and then present that to the chefs. I always think it adds a bit of fun to it all.

Izakaya

For a night out in Tokyo, one of the most authentic things you can do is go to an ‘izakaya’. This basically means a ‘traditional pub’ in Japanese and they come in all shapes and sizes. At its simplest, you’ll see the smoky izakayas that are full of people drinking draught beer and eating fried meat on sticks (yakitori). This meat is often things like chicken hearts and livers.

Izakayas can also be much more upmarket, with good quality food and local sake. You may sit crosslegged on a tatami mat around a low table, for instance.

What makes an izakaya different from many other Japanese restaurants is that the food is shared and it’s brought out gradually, plate by plate (a bit like tapas). Look out for an izakaya and give it a try.

Shabu Shabu

If you’re in a group, another fun style of dining in Tokyo is shabu shabu. It’s similar to hotpot in China, and basically you cook meat and vegetables yourself in a big pot of boiling liquid that sits in the middle of the table. You’ll then have different sauces to dip the food in.

Although there’s a range of quality with shabu shabu restaurants, but makes it a lot of fun is getting a reasonably-priced package with all you can eat and drink for a set period of time. Perfect to put you in the mood for some karaoke!

Drinking

And last, but not least, it’s time to talk about drinking. Although there is plenty to do at night in Tokyo that doesn’t involve alcohol, there is a vibrant bar scene that is a lot of fun and a good way to meet locals and other travellers.

If you’re heading out, take note of what time the public transport ends for the night. It’s always easy to get a taxi back to your accommodation.

Roppongi

One of the popular nightlife districts in Tokyo is Roppongi, where you’ll find the Tokyo City View at Mori Tower that I mentioned earlier. It’s full of bars and restaurants and can get very busy on the weekends.

A lot of Japanese people go out in Roppongi but it does have a reputation as the place where expats are more likely to head for a drink. That can be good news if you’re looking for some comfort from home (like a burger) or you want to find a bar that will be screening your favourite sport.

With the Rugby World Cup in 2019, I expect this to be a very popular area for international fans who want to either watch a game on the big screen or meet up for a drink after the match at somewhere like Legends Sports Bar.

Shimbashi

Another of Tokyo’s famous drinking districts is around the train station at Shimbashi – but I think this one is quite special because it’s almost entirely full of locals.

This is where the ‘salarymen’ – the business workers of Tokyo – come after a day at the office to drink and eat and chat with their colleagues. You’ll find lots of izakayas here serving cheap beer and yakitori and it’s a lot of fun to join in the action and have a few conversations yourself.

I wouldn’t suggest spending the whole night here or coming too late. But it’s a good way to start your evening around the time that the local workers leave the office.

Golden Gai in Shinjuku

And, finally, I need to mention Golden Gai in Shinjuku because it has become one of the most talked-about nightlife areas in Japan for foreigners.

What makes Golden Gai so appealing is that it’s different to most other places in the world. It is a collection of half a dozen small narrow streets that are full of little bars. Most of them can only hold a handful of people and each has its own unique identity or theme.

It’s a great experience to be able to jump around and visit a few of these bars, chat with the barmen and meet the locals. It’s becoming quite popular with tourists so have a look for English signs at each entrance to see whether there is a cover charge or any other rules about who is welcome.

Of course, there are lots of other districts that are great for eating and drinking – areas like the Nonbei Yokocho in Shibuya or the Ebisu Yokocho, for instance.

If you haven’t been to Japan before, I would actually recommend going on one of the many ‘nightlife tours’ that are offered, where locals will take you to different types of bars and restaurants and introduce you to the way things work.

Not only will it be a fun evening, but it will help you make the most of your other nights in town when you don’t have a Japanese guide.

I would recommend one of the following:

I hope this guide to Tokyo’s nightlife has given you some ideas of what to do with your evenings in the city. As you can see, there is no shortage of activities. Whatever you do, you’ll have a great time. Just make the most of being in one of the most exciting cities in the world!!

]]>https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-to-do-tokyo-night-japan/feed/335.6925735 139.7006378https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-to-do-tokyo-night-japan/A day trip to Kamakurahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TimeTravelTurtle/~3/mj26A15BlOc/
https://www.timetravelturtle.com/day-trip-to-kamakura-japan/#commentsWed, 21 Nov 2018 04:37:43 +0000https://www.timetravelturtle.com/?p=35134The ancient Japanese city of Kamakura holds such an impressive collection of sights, this itinerary will help you see the best!

When you think about the best temples in Japan, often it’s Kyoto that comes to mind first. And that makes sense – after all, it was once the capital of Japan and it has a large collection of historic buildings as a result of that.

However, it’s not the only former capital of Japan. There’s another city, Kamakura, that was effectively the country’s capital during the Kamakura period of history between 1185 and 1333.

It was during this period that the country saw the creation of the samurai warriors and the feudalism in Japan. To support this, enormous temple complexes were built with religious and political significance. It was an extremely influential part of the country’s history and what remains in Kamakura today reflects that.

There’s a reason it’s sometimes called the ‘Kyoto of the East’ and there was even an attempt to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (but was not successful).

For visitors to Japan, a day trip to Kamakura is one of the best ways to spend your time. But there are lots of things to do in Kamakura and you’ll need to have a bit of a plan to make the most of the trip.

To help you, I’ve put together this Kamakura day trip itinerary that will take you to the highlights and show you a good mix of the variety on offer here.

Not only are there generations of history and culture to explore, but there’s also a beautiful natural landscape. I’ll show you how to experience it all.

Kamakura day trip itinerary

Most people will arrive in Kamakura by train – and I’ll have some more information later on the best tickets to use to get to Kamakura from Tokyo or Yokohama.

But while it may seem sensible to get off at Kamakura station, I’m actually going to start this itinerary at Kita-Kamakura station (literally: North Kamakura).

You can see on the map below my suggested route – but, a word of warning here, it has a lot of walking in it. If you would prefer not to do so much walking, I’ll have other options for you. And I’m also going to suggest some alternative sightseeing along the way, in case you have some specific interests.

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Engaku-ji Temple

The first temple complex of the itinerary is one of the most significant. It’s called Engaku-ji and is ranked as the second of Kamakura’s Great Zen Temples.

Engaku-ji was founded in 1282 and it stretches up the slope of a hillside with the main buildings in a straight line, as was the style at the time. As you enter, you’ll see the dramatic wooden main gate at the top of the first set of stairs. Further up, there are actually 18 individual temples in the grounds.

Take particular note of the main hall (butsuden) with a sacred statue from the Kamakura period and the great bell (the largest in Kamakura). You’ll also notice how the landscaping in the complex creates a sense of peace – something you’re going to see a lot more of during the day.

Jochi-ji Temple

Just a short walk from Engaku-ji, on the other side of the train tracks, is the next temple: Jochi-ji. Although it’s ranked fourth of Kamakura’s Great Zen Temples, it is actually quite small. That’s because the original buildings have all been destroyed and the recreation of the site is not as big as it would once have been.

Still, I think it’s a really beautiful and peaceful temple. In fact, because it is small and doesn’t have too many visitors, it offers a nice contrast to many of the other sites you’re going to see today.

Be sure to go through the small cave at the top to see the charming little graveyard.

Daibutsu Hiking Trail

One of the other reasons I recommend Jochi-ji is because this is where the Daibutsu Hiking Trail begins, so you would probably come here anyway.

I love this trail and would highly recommend you do it. It takes about an hour through some lovely forest and takes you to the next set of main temples on the other side of the hill. Plus there are a couple of interesting things to see along the way.

However, if you don’t want to do the walk, you can get the bus to the Daibutsumae stop (changing at the Kamakura stop) and skip ahead in this itinerary. (I’ve got more information about using the bus in Kamakura later in this post).

I’ve marked the Daibutsu Hiking Trail on the map above but it’s quite easy to follow. The path is obvious and there are signposts at any intersections. Just follow the signs to the ‘Daibutstu (Big Buddha)’, which is the final stop of the walk.

Kuzuharaoka Shrine

If you’re doing the hiking trail, you’ll walk past the small Kuzuharaoka Shrine. It would not be worth the effort to visit otherwise, but it’s a good place to stop seeing as you’re here anyway.

The shrine was built on the site where a traitor was executed in 1333. These days, though, the shrine is dedicated to matchmaking and it’s where hopeful lovers come to pray to find the one.

Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine

A bit further along the hike, you’ll see an option to do a slight detour to visit the Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine. I highly recommend you do this.

Part of the fun of Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine is the entrance, which is through a tunnel cut into a cliff face. But what you’ll find inside is also really interesting.

The shrine is for people who want to get richer and it’s said that if you wash your money in the spring water of the shrine’s cave, it will multiply. Go and have a look at all the worshippers putting their 1000 yen notes in the water and then drying them off!

OPTION: Itsuki Garden cafe

If you need a break along the hike, there’s a lovely little cafe where you can get a drink or something to eat.

Look out for the signs to the Itsuki Garden Cafe before the final downhill stretch to the end of the trail. The outside tables have a nice outlook down to the bottom of the hill.

Kotoku-in Temple (Big Buddha)

Technically this temple is called Kotoku-in but most people know it by the Japanese name Daibutsu and the English translation, Big Buddha. It is the iconic image of Kamakura and a must-visit on a trip here.

There isn’t much temple to see here – the focus is squarely on the large bronze statue of Buddha. But it’s impressive enough that you won’t be disappointed. Historians think the statue dates from 1252 and was built after a wooden version was destroyed by a storm.

The Big Buddha statue is about 14 metres tall (including the base) and you can join the queue of tourists to go inside and have a look at the interior.

OPTION: Hase-dera Temple

Hase-dera Temple is actually quite interesting and is one of the oldest temples in Kamakura, having been founded around the 8th century.

However, I would suggest skipping it if you are taking all of my other recommendations, because you won’t be able to fit everything in. But if you didn’t do the hike, you should have time to pop in because it’s only about a ten minute walk from the Big Buddha.

Hase-dera Temple is famous for the statue in the main building which, at 9.18 metres, is one of the largest wooden statues in Japan. Another interesting (but sad) element are the hundreds of small Jizo statues that are placed by parents who lost a child before they were born.

Hase-dera also has nice views of the city and the gardens are very pleasant.

Kamakura City

By now you’re probably getting hungry, so I would suggest heading into the central part of Kamakura city, which you can do by bus (or its about a 20 minute brisk walk).

There are lots of restaurants here and I’m not going to recommend any particular ones. However, I will mention the cafe at the Kamakurabori Museum because they have an interesting lunch option. You can get a vegetarian set menu that is modelled on the meals that the Buddhist monks of Kamakura would have eaten.

While you’re in the centre of Kamakura, have a wander along the Komachi Dori Shopping Street, which is full of places to buy souvenirs and snacks.

For something very traditional in the city where the samurai culture was founded, have a look at the Masamune sword shop, which has a heritage that goes all the way back to the original Kamakura period of history 700 years ago.

Hokoku-ji Temple

Hokoku-ji Temple is not one of the most historically-significant temples in Kamakura – but it is one of the most famous with tourists. That’s because of the stunning bamboo forest which has become a favourite backdrop for photographers and instagrammers.

It was founded in 1334, the year after the Kamakura period officially ended, and has a large main building with a beautiful landscaped garden and pond next to it.

The bamboo forest is behind the main building and on the other side is a teahouse. Stopping here to have some traditional tea with the bamboo for a view is quite spectacular and worth doing.

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu

Heading back into the centre of the city, the next stop is Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. This is the most important Shinto shrine in Kamakura (as opposed to most of the others, which are Buddhist). It’s hard to miss because it’s set on a hill in the geographic centre of the city with a long 1.8 kilometre approach from Kamakura city.

The shrine was founded in 1063 and moved to its current site in 1180. The main building at the top of the staircase includes a small museum which has a small entrance fee (and is probably not worth it). You also get fantastic views of the city from this terrace.

On the ground level, you’ll find some interesting elements including fish ponds, a performance stage, and a special garden.

Kencho-ji Temple

Depending on how quickly you’ve been moving today, you may be starting to run out of time. But don’t be tempted to skip this last suggestion – it’s one of the most important (and, in fact, I would suggest you drop something else from the itinerary rather than miss this one).

Kencho-ji is ranked first amongst Kamakura’s Great Zen Temples. It was built in 1253 and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. And, as you’ll see, the complex is really large.

From the entrance, you’ll see the main wooden gate and then, beyond that, the Butsuden with an important statue of Jizo Bodhisattva. The Hatto building next to it is the largest wooden temple building in eastern Japan.

Further on is the complex’s main building, which you can go inside and walk around the balcony. From the far side, you get a wonderful vantage point of the beautiful zen garden.

If you have the time or the inclination, there are a couple of others paths you can follow within the Kencho-ji grounds that will take you to smaller shrines and viewpoints in the hills. They are a lovely way to see a bit more of the natural environment here.

Tours to Kamakura

Even though you can follow my suggested Kamakura day trip itinerary and see all the highlights, you may prefer the idea of having everything arranged for you. With a guided tour, you’ll get all of that plus someone who can explain the history and point out the most significant things.

If you’re interested in a guided tour to Kamakura, here are a few options that I would recommend:

Getting from Tokyo to Kamakura

If you’ve spent any time in Tokyo already, you will have realised that the transport can be a bit confusing because so many different private companies offer different options. Going from Tokyo to Kamakura can seem just as overwhelming at first because you have a few choices.

The first option is to use the JR Yokosuka Line. It goes from Tokyo station to Kamakura and stops at Kita-Kamakura station. It costs 920 yen (US$8.10) each way and takes about an hour. This is the best option if you are staying closer to Tokyo station than Shinjuku station and won’t need too much public transport once you reach Kamakura.

The second option is to use the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line. It also takes about one hour and costs 920 yen (US$8.10) each way. It doesn’t come as often but may be more convenient if you’re staying near Shinjuku. However it normally doesn’t stop at Kita-Kamakura, so you’ll have to use my suggested itinerary in a slightly different order.

The third option is to use Odakyu Railways. The train leaves from Shinjuku station but it takes about 90 minutes each way. However, it’s cheaper at 1470 yen (US$13) return and you’ll be able to use the Enoden train in Kamakura, which will get you from the main station to Hasedera Temple (and near the Big Buddha). This is a good option if you’re staying near Shinjuku and want to save a few dollars.

Getting from Yokohama to Kamakura

I’ve written recently about things to do in Yokohama and why the city is worth a visit for a couple of days. It’s also quicker to get from Yokohama to Kamakura, so it might make sense to do a Kamakura day trip from here.

If so, it’s very easy to use the train. From Yokohama station, you can catch either the JR Yokosuka Line or the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line. Either one will take about 25 mins and cost 340 yen (US$3) each way.

Getting around Kamakura

Kamakura is small enough and the main sites are close enough to each other that it is possible to walk between everything if you want. However, that does add up to a lot of walking in one day and takes up a bit of time, so you may prefer to use public transport.

If so, a good option is to buy the Kamakura Free Kankyo Tegata travel pass. It costs 570 yen for an adult or 290 yen for a child and offers unlimited bus rides for the day, which will be able to take you to all the main sights I have mentioned in the itinerary.

You can buy it at the tourist information office at Kamakura station or at the Engakuji souvenir shop near Kita-Kamakura station.

Time Travel Turtle was supported by Kanagawa Tourism but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

]]>https://www.timetravelturtle.com/day-trip-to-kamakura-japan/feed/135.3192596 139.5503845https://www.timetravelturtle.com/day-trip-to-kamakura-japan/What to do in Yokohamahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TimeTravelTurtle/~3/QR2PseCCbAw/
https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-to-do-in-yokohama-japan/#commentsMon, 19 Nov 2018 06:03:59 +0000https://www.timetravelturtle.com/?p=35094It would be a mistake to dismiss Yokohama as just an extension of Tokyo. There is so much to see and do in this vibrant city.

The best things to do in Yokohama

It can sometimes feel like the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo goes on forever. Sitting on the train as you head south, you can look out the window and see an endless collection of modern buildings whizz past.

But even though the urban scenery looks seamless, you are actually travelling into different cities. Heading south from Tokyo, you first go through Kawasaki. And then you’ll arrive in Yokohama.

It may seem easy to think of Yokohama as just a suburb of Tokyo but, as well as being technically incorrect, that approach may lead you to miss the vibrant cultural and food scene here. There are a lot of things to do in Yokohama and it deserves its own attention.

With a population of about 3.7 million people, Yokohama is the second-largest city in Japan (after Tokyo, with 9.3 million). But it’s a relatively new city and the expansion has been rapid, without the some kind of traditional history as cities like Tokyo or Kyoto.

What you’ll find in Yokohama is an exciting blend of modern development and international influence.

A very brief history of Yokohama

Until the 1850s, this area could best be described as a sleepy fishing village. It was only when Japan began to open itself up to the world at the end of the Edo period that Yokohama started to change. It was here that an international port was opened in 1859 and the city became the centre of Japan’s trading industry with the rest of the world.

The combination of foreign influences and the need for development meant that Yokohama modernised before most of Japan. It saw Japan’s first daily newspaper, first gas-powered street lamps, and first railway. It also was where Japan was introduced to Western fashion, Western food, and Western sports like cricket and rugby union.

Perhaps it’s therefore quite fitting that Yokohama will be the host city for the most important games of the 2019 Rugby World Cup that will be held in Japan during October and November. Players and fans from across the world will come together in the city that introduced Japan to an international audience 150 years ago, and introduced rugby to the Japanese.

Visiting Yokohama for the Rugby World Cup?

On a recent visit to Japan, I was able to go to a rugby game at the International Stadium Yokohama (also known as Nissan Stadium), which will host the final, both semi-finals, and four pool games of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

It was the Bledisloe Cup – and annual competition between Australia and New Zealand (that New Zealand usually wins, if I’m to be gracious) – but it was not the result that I was interested in. To be honest, even the game itself was a bit secondary. What I came to see was the atmosphere – and it was just what you could have hoped for.

I have no doubt that Japan is going to host an excellent Rugby World Cup. This stadium is perfect. Big enough with a capacity of about 70,000 people but also not too large that it becomes unmanageable. There are enough facilities that you never wait long (if at all).

It’s close enough to the centre of Yokohama to walk or it has good public transport if you are staying further away. And, being Japan, everything is well-organised and efficient – from the people at the train station holding signs pointing to the stadium, to the ushers inside who will show you to your seat.

Yokohama: Things to do!

Whether you are visiting Yokohama for the Rugby World Cup or you’re coming here any other time of the year, you’re probably looking for the best things to do in Yokohama. There are lots of them – enough to easily fill a couple of days.

To help you with your planning, I have put together my tips for the best things you’ll find, with a good mix to show you the history, the modern side, the food scene, and the other fun things to do in Yokohama.

You can see them all on the map and I’ve got more details below.

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Yokohama Stadium

The enormous International Stadium is not the only major sporting venue in Yokohama. Near the coast in the southern part of the city, you’ll also find Yokohama stadium.

It’s mainly used for baseball, the most popular sport in Japan, and is home to the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. It’s an impressive structure from the outside but the best way to experience the stadium is to go to a baseball game. Have a look at whether there is anything scheduled for the days you’re visiting and try to get a ticket!

Chinatown

It might seem odd to come to Japan and then seek out Chinese culture, but the Chinatown in Yokohama is a vibrant district that’s worth visiting. It’s a good testament to the heritage of Yokohama as a port city.

The trade that began here in the 1850s was not just with Western countries, but was also with Japan’s Asian neighbours. Over the decades, a lot of Chinese people moved to Yokohama and brought their food and traditions with them. The Chinatown you’ll find here is the largest in Japan.

There are lots of good restaurants and shops along the few main streets that are marked by the large gates at the start. One of the specialties is the ‘manju’ or steamed buns. You’ll be able to buy them from street stalls or look for the shops with the long queues!

Yamashita Park

From the Chinatown, it’s worth wandering over to Yamashita Park, a 750 metre stretch of parkland along the water. From the park, you’ll get some nice views of the Yokohama skyline. There are also a few attractions in the park itself.

One is the ship called the Hikawa Maru which was at sea from the 1930s until the 1960s and is now a museum. You can also go up the Yokohama Marine Tower and get a view of the city from 100 metres above the ground.

There are also quite a few statues throughout the park – look out for the one commemorating the introduction of the Western haircut to Japan!

Osanbashi Pier

At the northern end of Yamashita Park, take the walkway that leads over to Osanbashi Pier, one of the more interesting examples of design in Yokohama.

Although Osanbashi is technically the oldest pier in Japan, having been originally built in the 1890s, the current design is from 2002. This is where a lot of cruise ships will dock, but it’s worth visiting just as a tourist anyway. The top of the pier is covered in grassy areas and the wooden decking is supposed to represent rolling waves.

It’s about 400 metres long and you get some great views of the Minato Mirai skyline.

Red Brick Warehouse

There are quite a few spots in Yokohama where you can see some of the history of the city as a trading port. One of the most significant is spot called Red Brick Warehouse. These two buildings were constructed around 1910 to be used as customs houses.

They were used for this purpose (as well as a few other things) until 1989. They were then renovated and opened in 2002 as the Red Brick Warehouse that you’ll find today.

The complex houses a collection of shops and restaurants that are popular with locals and tourists. There are also cultural spaces that can be used for exhibitions, performances, and screenings.

This is a good spot to pick up some souvenirs from Yokohama or stop for something to eat or drink.

Marine and Walk

Just a few minutes walk from Red Brick Warehouse, you’ll find Marine and Walk. This is a smaller and more modern shopping centre that has a focus on boutique outlets and trendy restaurants and cafes.

I don’t think it is worth going out of your way to visit but I mention it because it’s so close to other place you’ll probably go, you’ll be easily able to pop in. And if you enjoy shopping or are looking for somewhere nice for lunch, Marine and Walk could be perfect.

Minato Mirai 21

The Minato Mirai 21 development is a large collection of modern buildings that have been built since the 1980s in an attempt to turn a large disused shipyard into a new urban environment. It has worked, and this area is now the iconic image that you see of Yokohama’s skyline.

It’s easy to spend a couple of hours in the Minato Mirai 21 development, just exploring the urban architecture and looking at the various shopping centres and restaurant complexes that exist here. It’s perfect for photography during the day and after dark as well.

Landmark Tower Sky Garden

The most famous part of Minato Mirai 21 is the Yokohama Landmark Tower, the 296 metre high building that was the tallest in Japan until the Abeno Harukas was completed in Osaka in 2014.

Being the second-tallest building in Japan is still pretty impressive and you can go up to a viewpoint that is 273 metres high. The Sky Garden Observatory has amazing views and you can get food and drink up here. Even the super-fast elevator ride up is part of the experience!

Cup Noodles Museum

It may seem like a bit of a strange idea for a museum but I think you’re missing out if you go to Yokohama and skip the Cup Noodles Museum. This large and modern building is a tribute to the sensation of instant noodles that were invented in Japan in 1958 (and have helped millions of students get through university since then).

It is spread out over a number of floors with exhibitions that tell the history of cup noodles, art installations, and a food court.

One of the best parts of the museum is the area where you can make your own cup of instant noodles – including drawing the design on the packaging and choosing the ingredients that will go inside.

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

It’s not just cup noodles that are celebrated in Yokohama, but the original ramen noodles as well.

The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is actually more of a food court than a museum, to be honest, but it has been designed to look like an atmospheric snapshot of Tokyo in the 1950s. It has outlets of famous ramen restaurants from around Japan, selling different varieties of the noodles.

The real reason to go to the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is to get a bowl or two of ramen (and that’s a good enough reason for me!). But, if you don’t have the time, you can just go to the most famous ramen restaurant in Yokohama. It’s called Yoshimuraya and you can see it on a map here. (Be warned: there’s usually a long queue.)

Kirin Beer Factory

While I’m on the topic of food and drink, another fun thing to do in Yokohama is go for a tour of the Kirin Beer Factory. The iconic Japanese brand was founded here in Yokohama and helped introduce beer to the country from the Western World.

The brewery tours are free and take just over an hour. You’ll go through the different stages of the production line and then get quite a generous tasting at the end.

You’ll need to reserve a spot on a tour in advance, which you can do on the brewery’s website or by phone. The tours are normally in Japanese but if you tell them in advance you’re a foreigner, they’ll try to arrange and English-speaking guide.

Noge Nightlife

After a long day of sightseeing (or after watching a rugby game), you may want to have a few drinks. Although there are plenty of restaurants and bars in the central part of Yokohama around the train station, I would recommend you head to the Noge district.

Noge is a grid of narrow streets full of small restaurants and bars (called izakayas, in Japanese). They have a range of themes and cuisines, with dishes from across the whole country represented. Some of the bars are small and fit just a few people, while others are a bit bigger.

On the weekends and after sports matches, it’s one of the liveliest parts of Yokohama and has such a fun atmosphere. Not everyone will speak English but go into it with a positive attitude and you’ll have a great time!

BONUS PLACES

All of the things I have recommended so far are places that I have visited myself, so that I know they’re worth seeing. But there are two more places I ran out of time to visit, but are apparently worth seeing:

The Sankeien Garden: This large garden is in the south of Yokohama and you’ll need to get a bus there. As well as having beautiful landscaping of trees, flowers and ponds, there is also a wonderful collection of historic buildings that have been brought here from across Japan.

Yokohama Museum of Art: The Museum of Art is easy to spot in the Minato Mirai 21 district and has an excellent collection of modern art. There are works by famous international artists like Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso. But, of course, there are also a lot of important paintings and other pieces from Japanese artists.

TRAVELLING WITH KIDS?

I don’t normally write much about things to do with kids but I want to mention a few places this time because Yokohama has some great options – and because I know a lot of people coming for the Rugby World Cup will visit as a family.

A lot of the places I have already mentioned will be popular with children but these extra ideas are especially aimed at family travel.

Cosmo World: This theme park in the Minato Mirai 21 district has a range of rides from simple attractions for younger children all the way up to a speedy rollercoaster.

Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum: This museum is full of interesting scientific exhibitions, including space travel and deep sea exploration. The robots are a particular highlight. Although it’s aimed at children, adults will enjoy it too.

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise: This large amusement park has a shopping mall, rides, restaurants and even an aquarium. It covers an entire island and is one of Japan’s biggest theme parks.

Zoorasia: This large zoo is just outside central Yokohama and you can get there by bus. It is known for the large enclosures that try to recreate the natural habitats of the animals. There are seven ecological areas and some of the most important animals here are elephants, polar bears, and proboscis monkeys.

Time Travel Turtle was supported by Kanagawa Tourism but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

]]>https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-to-do-in-yokohama-japan/feed/135.4577980 139.6308136https://www.timetravelturtle.com/things-to-do-in-yokohama-japan/The stream in the skyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TimeTravelTurtle/~3/qjtFnHiR1AU/
https://www.timetravelturtle.com/pontcysyllte-aqueduct-llangollen-canal-wales/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 22:41:16 +0000https://www.timetravelturtle.com/?p=35076It's hard to believe that engineers were able to carry boats through the air more than 200 years ago at this Welsh aqueduct!

Seeing a boat slowly chug along a British canal is usually such a delightful sight. There’s normally something so peaceful about the way it glides through the water, slower than the pedestrians alongside it, making a statement with its speed that this is about the experience rather than the destination.

But here at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales, the boat that I’m looking at is actually terrifying me. Because it’s slowly travelling along a canal that is suspended in the middle of the air, 40 metres above the ground, with nothing but a long drop beneath it.

It looks so scary and precarious. Yet, somehow, it’s still a delightful sight. In fact – it’s probably even more so!

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Moving water has always been a priority for civilisations and, over the years, we’ve seen empires come up with some ingenious solutions.

I think particularly about Pont du Gard in France, which I visited last year. This enormous bridge was constructed between two hills to allow for the gradual flow of drinking water along an aqueduct.

Here in Wales, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is actually not that different in what it is trying to achieve (although the canal is for boats, not just the movement of water). So the true wonder here is not that someone thought to build a bridge… but HOW they built the bridge.

The engineering behind the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is pure genius and was a symbol of the might of the industrial revolution when it was constructed at the beginning of the 19th century.

It is 307 metres long, 3.7 metres wide, and just 1.6 metres deep. Seeing how it all comes together is fascinating.

Coming up from the ground (and from the river bed) are 18 tall pillars made of stone. Connecting each of them at the top are arched iron ribs, each spanning 16 metres. And then the iron trough that carries the water sits on top of that.

It really is hard to believe that it’s all possible. Even though it looks quite simple at first glance, the engineering skills to have made it work must be incredible!

Llangollen Canal

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is just a small part of a much longer canal system that was designed to connect the lowlands of England with the rugged terrain in the higher parts of Wales.

The main stretch that goes from Cheshire in England to Llangollen in Wales is now known as the Llangollen Canal. Although back at the start of the 19th century when the aqueduct was being built, the network was actually a bit of a confusing mess because different routes and stages were being completed at different times (or sometimes not at all).

What’s important to know, though, is that the goal was achieved of using these canals to transport goods. Boats that were towed along the waterways carried coal, iron, slate and limestone. The industrial revolution in Britain had its fuel, and one of its biggest export commodities, because of these canals!

Although this iron bridge over the River Dee is the highlight, there were actually many other engineering feats along the path of the Llangollen Canal – including another aqueduct (called the Chirk Aqueduct), tunnels, cuttings, and embankments.

An 18 kilometre stretch of the canal that includes both aqueducts and many of the most impressive pieces of engineering has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are a few ways to explore it.

Llangollen Canal boat trips

The Llangollen Canal was used for about 150 years to transport good that were needed by various industries. It was only in the middle of the 1900s that it became more inefficient and costly than alternative routes. But the boats didn’t stop – they just started carrying sightseers instead.

The best way to experience the Llangollen Canal is by the very thing that it was intended for – a boat ride. It’s the most popular leisure canal in Britain and probably the most beautiful. You can either go the entire length or just a part of it.

Doing a Llangollen Canal boat trip for the entire 66 kilometre length takes about three days. For a lot of visitors, its better to just do a day trip (or shorter). There are five companies within the World Heritage Site area that offer short trips. You can see the options here.

Llangollen Aqueduct walk

Another good option is to walk along the Llangollen Aqueduct, which is very easy to do because of the towpath along the route. The most popular stretch is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct walk between the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen, taking you past many of the waterway’s highlights.

That stretch is about 7.5 kilometres and can be done in as short as 90 minutes (although you’ll probably want a bit longer to enjoy the scenery along the way). It’s easy to do a loop back along a different route that takes you to the ruins of Castell Dinas Bran, along the Llangollen Panorama Walk, and even a taste of the Offa’s Dyke National Trail.

However you choose to experience it, do make sure you walk across the length of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Although it is obviously perfectly safe, it is a strange sensation to be so high up on such a narrow structure – whether it’s in a boat or on foot.

]]>https://www.timetravelturtle.com/pontcysyllte-aqueduct-llangollen-canal-wales/feed/052.9704552 -3.0878448https://www.timetravelturtle.com/pontcysyllte-aqueduct-llangollen-canal-wales/Kathmandu’s monkey templehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TimeTravelTurtle/~3/A4wl9jf_6Hg/
https://www.timetravelturtle.com/swayambhunath-kathmandu-monkey-temple-nepal/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 00:19:11 +0000https://www.timetravelturtle.com/?p=35056It's the most important religious site in Kathmandu... but Swayambhunath seems more famous for its monkeys!

There is a legend behind why Swayambhunath in Kathmandu is called the ‘Monkey Temple’.

It’s all to do with a group of monkeys that have lived in the northwest part of the Swayambhunath temple complex for generations.

It’s said that they came into being when the Buddhist ‘deity’ Manjushri spent time on the hill that the temples are set on. He was meant to cut his hair short but instead he let it grow long and got head lice. These lice then turned into the monkeys.

As I explore Swayambhunath and see some of the monkeys run in front of me, I think about this story… but focus more on the part about the lice than the divine. They may be holy but these primates still look a bit scary.

Visiting Swayambhunath in Kathmandu

As it turns out, though, the monkeys are just a small part of the experience of visiting Swayambhunath temple in Kathmandu.

My visit begins with the long and steep walk up the 365 steps from the road to the main stupa. Along the way are smaller shrines and shops selling overpriced souvenirs (perhaps with buyers really just looking for an excuse to have a rest).

At the top of Swayambhunath, the first thing you find is enormous vajra (lightning bolt) and beyond that the enormous main stupa.

The eyes of Buddha, painted on the stupa with the Nepalese number one used as a nose, look down on me. The spire at the top is painted gold (apparently 20 kilograms of gold was used in the latest restoration in 2010) and prayer wheels circle around the base.

I begin to walk clockwise (as is the custom at Buddhist monuments) along the path of the prayer wheels and realise that there is much more to this central area than just the stupa.

There are different shrines, smaller stupas, offering places, and even gravestones. At the cardinal points around the stupa are buildings dedicated to the five elements – earth, air, water, five and sky.

It’s when I am on the opposite side of the main staircase, while I’m standing near the gravestones and respectfully watching the local crowd make offerings and spin the prayer wheels, that a troop of monkeys scurry past me.

I had forgotten about them for a while. Unlike some similar places I’ve been, they don’t fill the site and require constant vigilance. In fact, I don’t see many monkeys for the rest of the time that I’m here.

It’s nice. It lets me focus on the cultural and religious story behind Swayambhunath, and leave the ‘Monkey Temple’ to the marketing department.

History of Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath is one of the most sacred religious sites in Kathmandu. For Buddhist Newars, it is the most important. And in Tibetan Buddhism, it is the second most important.

A large reason for the significance of the complex is its history. Although the exact details are not certain, it’s generally believed that King Vrsadeva founded the site in the 5th century. Over the years, there would have been a number of temples on the hill, and the stupa has been renovated and modified during this time as well.

The legend says that the Kathmandu Valley was once a lake filled with water and this hill was an island in the water with a natural crystal stupa on it. The story says that Buddha visited it and declared the stupa would help people on their path to enlightenment.

The legend continues that Manjushri (the same one who wouldn’t cut his hair) emptied the lake so that people would be able to visit the crystal stupa. Near the main stupa is a shrine where he supposedly left his footprints while he was getting rid of the water.

By making the valley habitable, Manjushri effectively founded Kathmandu, according to the story, which led to the creation of Nepal. Hence Swayambhunath has a significance for all Nepalese citizens, regardless of faith.

Therefore, it’s fitting that from various points around the temple complex, I can look out and get beautiful views of the Kathmandu Valley, filled with houses and roads, surrounded by dramatic mountains.

I think the best view is actually at the second peak of the hill, which takes just a few minutes to walk to along a path. To get there, you pass more small stupas and the World Peace Pond.

You’ll know you’ve reached the second peak when you can see the Whochen Thokjay Choyaling Monastery, which is different to the Karma Raja Maha Vihara Monastery near the main stupa.

Kathmandu World Heritage Site

Since 1979, Swayambhunath has been part of a World Heritage Site that is simply called ‘Kathmandu Valley.

There are seven groups of monuments and buildings that make up the site, each one chosen for their historic and artistic qualities.

I think Swayambhunath is one of the most significant and, as the legendary birthplace of the Kathmandu Valley, is a great place to start. But the others are also very important.

Of particular note are Patan Durbar Square and Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, the complexes of temples and official buildings around old royal palaces.

I have put together this map that shows you where you’ll find each of the places that are included in the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site:

Unfortunately many of them suffered significant damage during the 2015 earthquake but there has been a concerted effort to repair and restore the sites. Work is continuing and there are constant improvements.

You can get taxis between each of the sites (and even walk between some of the central ones) but I think you’ll get a lot more out of the visit if you have a guide to explain things to you. It will also take the hassle out of the transportation.

I would recommend one of the following tours:

Many visitors just pass through Kathmandu on their way to trekking adventures in the Himalayas or other natural areas. But even if you’re short of time, the monkey temple of Swayambhunath is one of the most important places you can visit, so I would recommend making an effort to get there.

If you can see even more of the World Heritage Site, that’s a bonus you won’t regret!